Periodontitis

Gingivitis is a minor form of gum disease and is usually reversible in its earliest stage. If gingivitis is not treated promptly, it can advance to the second stage of gum disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis is an inflammation of the gums that destroys the structures of the teeth and can lead to even more serious problems, including higher blood sugar levels and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry can treat periodontitis if it arises, but he would much rather you practice preventive oral hygiene.

Healthy gums are firm and a pale pink. If you spit pink in the sink while brushing your teeth, this is a symptom of gingivitis. Periodontitis, as well as gingivitis, begins with plaque. If plaque isn’t brushed away after eating and drinking, it will fester and lead to tartar which only a dental hygienist is able to remove. There are a number of factors that can aggravate this condition, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, but it’s important to know that it can be prevented by simply brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once a day. In addition, you should be visiting us for professional cleanings at least twice a year.

If you have questions or concerns about your next dental appointment, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

Gingivitis Risk Factors

Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes inflammation of your gums. Because gingivitis can be mild, you may not be aware that you have the condition. However, it’s important to take gingivitis seriously and treat it promptly. The most common cause of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. If you are not maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine, Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry is here to help by providing you with routine dental cleanings.

Gingivitis commonly occurs because of films of bacteria that accumulate on the teeth (plaque). Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of periodontal disease, which means that it can be prevented. Generally, gingivitis resolves with good oral hygiene – longer and more frequent brushing, as well as flossing. If the condition is left untreated, gum disease can spread and affect tissue, teeth, and bones, leading to periodontitis which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

If you notice a bit of blood in the sink, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Emuedue at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call 903-455-6701.

How Scaling and Planing Helps Fight Gum Disease

Gum disease is irritating, painful, and if not treated, it can lead to major oral health problems. Not to mention, it can seriously affect the aesthetics of your smile. When gum disease has progressed down near the roots of teeth, a scaling and root planing procedure must be performed to remove the bacteria and allow healthy healing. Here at Greenville Family Dentistry, we perform scaling and planing right in our Greenville, TX office.

Disease gums begin to pull away from the teeth. This creates gum recession and deep gum pockets. Bacteria can hide in these pockets and cause problems below the gum line. It also makes clearing up gum disease much more difficult. The tooth roots are now vulnerable to the bacteria and can be decayed. When left untreated, this will eventually lead to the loss of the tooth and further spread of infection. In order to clean out the bacteria, a scaling and planing procedure is performed. A scaling procedure is first performed with a metal tool that will scrape the tooth clean of any bacteria. A planing procedure is then the process where the tooth is smoothed out. Any rough patches where bacteria can hide in are smoothed down. This process is usually completed in a couple of appointments. Depending on the level of disease, the mouth may be split into several sections for completion.

If you are experiencing signs of gum disease including bleeding gums, sores, and pain, do not wait to schedule an appointment with us. To schedule at Greenville Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, call our office at (903) 455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Swollen gums, which may be sore and more susceptible to bleeding, are common during pregnancy. This is due to the hormone changes – particularly an increase in estrogen and progesterone – which can exaggerate the way in which gum tissues react to plaque. At Greenville Family Dentistry, we can provide expectant mothers with routine exams and cleanings during pregnancy, however, non-emergency procedures should only be performed during the second trimester.

When plaque isn’t removed, it can cause gingivitis. So-called “pregnancy gingivitis” affects most pregnant women to some degree and generally begins to surface during the second month of pregnancy. It is very important for expecting mothers to take treatment steps quickly if they have gum disease because they have a six times greater risk of having preterm and low-birth weight babies. Since the bacteria that cause gingivitis can enter the bloodstream, the bacteria can travel all the way down to the uterus.

If you are pregnant, please notify us when making your next appointment. For more information about dental hygiene or how to schedule an appointment with Greenville Family Dentistry of Greenville, TX, call us at 903-455-6701 or visit our website, www.greenvillefamilydentistrytx.com. 

Gum Disease

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness. Our team here at Greenville Family Dentistry provides the type of regular periodontal care and checkups you need to maintain peak health and prevent gum disease.

 

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens, providing the ideal environment for bacteria to collect and attack surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontitis. Periodontitis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

 

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office in Greenville, TX to receive periodontal cleanings and treatment. It is easier to prevent gum disease or treat it early on than to reverse the effects of periodontitis. For more information about gum disease, please call Greenville Family Dentistry at 903-455-6701.

Intraoral Camera

Here in Greenville, TX, our dentist, Dr. Christopher Emuedue, likes to incorporate modern dental technology in all of the services he provides. For dental check-ups and examinations, he uses an intraoral camera, which is a small device that enables him to provide effective diagnostics, along with x-rays and other diagnostic tools.

 

One of the reasons the intraoral camera works so well is because it is a small, handheld device that can easily see different angles inside the patient’s mouth. It lets Dr. Emuedue look for warning signs of problems developing, ranging from infections or impacted teeth to gum disease. The intraoral camera is comfortable for our patients and can be done quickly. Its use is followed by showing digital dental images to provide education to the patient.

 

We use the intraoral camera in the following ways:

 

1. The wand-shaped device has a lens that can autofocus on any of the patient’s teeth and gums.

2. We dry a tooth prior to taking an image, followed by pointing the tip of the camera to the tooth.

3. It quickly takes a high-definition picture with auto focus, and sends the digital image to a nearby computer.

4. In just a few minutes, we can get images of any worrisome areas of the mouth.

 

Visit Greenville Family Dentistry or call us at 903-455-6701 if you are interested in getting a dental exam with the use of the intraoral camera.

Periodontics: Caring for your gums

Periodontics: Caring for your gums

Caring for your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral health, but your gums also play an important role in your health, and proper care is crucial. Gum disease can be a serious detriment to your oral health and overall wellness, and Dr. Christopher Emuedue of Greenville Family Dentistry provides the regular periodontal and checkups you need to maintain peak periodontal health and prevent gum disease.

 

With periodontal disease responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, it is critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums that starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar. As the tartar accumulates, bacteria collect and attack the soft tissue in the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontis. Periodontis can destroy your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss. Periodontis can even result in a loss of bone mass in your jaw bone, and heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

 

The state of your gums affects the health of your entire body, so come to our office for periodontal cleanings and treatment. We can even refer you to a recommended specialist if you require special treatment. We will make sure your gums are well cared for. Call 903-455-6701 to schedule an appointment. For more information about our practice, visit www.GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com.